Safely Extracting Your Key from the Ignition

Motorists often face challenges that they can’t predict. When your key is stuck in the ignition, this is one of those times that you couldn’t have predicted. It can be one of the most frustrating situations that a motorist will have to endure, in addition to losing your car keys or misplacing them. Dealing these types of situations, you’ll need a lot of patience to effectively deal with this type of problem. Panicking only makes the problem worse than it already is. When a person is upset, it is difficult to think rationally. Perhaps this article will make you stop and think seriously about how you will respond when your key is stuck in the ignition so that you aren’t making the problem worse than it already is. If you’re in a hurry, you certainly don’t want to contribute to your problem. You might make matters worse and more time consuming. When you over react, you also usually end up spending far more money than you anticipated. At Fast Accurate Locksmith in Kansas City, KS we help many motorists extract their key from the ignition. However, when you want to attempt to try it on your own, here are a couple of things you can do to safely remove the key from the ignition without damaging it. 



Spray a Lubricant – Spraying a silicone lubricant inside your ignition can sometimes loosen the key. You should avoid causing the key to break off in the ignition at all cost. 

Check the Steering Position – You should check to make sure your car is in the parked position. It should be in the off position because when it is not, the key won’t turn. Sometimes the key may turn too far. You can tell whether or not you’ve turned the key to far if your car radio is on but your car is turned off. Place the car in park, if it is not and then try to turn to the key. Most cars will not enable you to remove your car key as long as the car is any other position other than ‘parked’. 

Jiggle the Steering Column – Gently move the steering column back and forth. While you are doing this, slowly try to extract the key from inside the ignition. When you turn the key in the right position at the exact right time, this could help you to safely remove the key from inside the ignition.  

Check the Battery – When you have a battery that is dead, your key will be stuck. The battery needs to be charged again or else the key will not come out.  

Keys with Debris – Over time debris may build up on the keys. The built up debris can cause your key to stick inside the ignition. People use their keys to open things and over time this will build up on your key. This debris will make it difficult for you to get the key out. Once the key has been removed, clean it or use a new one. 

Use Pliers – When something gets inside the ignition, no matter how small it is, it might be difficult to remove your key. We do not encourage our customers to put anything inside their ignition, however if you’re careful enough, you can avoid making the problem worse. You can use small plier’s to extract whatever is in your ignition. If you don’t know if you can reach whatever is in the ignition, this is one of the times you should call a locksmith. You can also save yourself some frustration by allowing a locksmith to safely remove whatever is inside your ignition. Sometimes when motorists try to remove something from inside the ignition, they make the situation worse. We know that when the key is stuck in the ignition, people tend to panic. When people panic, they often make the problem worse. You don’t have to try to extract whatever is in the ignition on your own when there is often a locksmith just a phone call away. 
There is no reason for you to call a tow truck or an auto mechanic to get your keys out. Make use of an automotive locksmith who has the training and experience needed to remove your keys from the ignition. In most instances, they can even determine why your key became stuck so that you do not have to worry about this problem occurring again. 

Most people enjoy saving money and don’t like the idea of wasting their hard earned money. Undoubtedly, they want to spend their money on something they really want. In order to save money, you might watch a video or purchase DIY video’s that will enable you to handle certain problems on your own. While we encourage you to try certain things on your own, be advised that many of the video’s that you may watch will often leave out something important. The one thing they leave out is the one thing that will enable you to resolve the problem. You can’t trust everything you read online or watch in a video. They may not always be the most reliable resource. 
Utilizing the services of a locksmith to help you extract a key from your ignition will save you time and money. A professional locksmith service is familiar with this type of problem. It isn’t uncommon for people to get their keys stuck in their ignition. You don’t always have any control over this and that is why it is important to know what to do so that you can resolve the problem without making it worse. Getting your key stuck in the ignition is something that can happen to anyone. Instead of trying to figure this out on your own, you can contact a local locksmith to aid you in retrieving the key from the ignition. Don’t waste another minute trying to get your key out, instead, do the smart thing and call a locksmith.

Panic Bars, Importance in Commercial Property

For every superstar athlete they seem to have a lesser known younger brother. That’s what life is like for a panic bar. Everyone knows what their big brother the ‘fire door’ is all about but no one really knows what a panic bar is. Ask someone and they will tell you an answer like a place to drink before they get on a plane or the newest entry from the M&M Mars candy bar line. That’s despite that fact that these relatively unknown safety devices play such an important role in commercial building safety. 

Given all this, it’s time to write an article on these really creative emergency door opening devices. They are less expensive to install than fire door locks and they are a super-reliable quick door opening mechanism that is virtually tamper proof from the exterior side of the door. After reading this article you will fully understand ‘exactly’ who the fire doors important little brother is. 

What Is a Panic Bar (also known as a ‘crash bar’)? 

How did these devices get their scary name? It’s because of the reason why they were invented in the first place. Every commercial building is required to have so many emergency exits and these are usually fire doors. The only thing is, that in the event of an actual fire some of these doors may be blocked and cause a mass exodus at a single fire door. The ensuing ‘panic’ could cause more injuries and death than a fire as many people try to scramble through a single opening.  

This is a scenario no one in their right mind wanted. The solution was to create several more less sophisticated doorways that would also let people escape without creating the dangerous scenario that just having a few working fire doors created. Hence the ‘panic bar’ was born. They enabled doors to stay securely shut until they were needed in the event of an emergency. 

Why Having Panic Bars Is Recommended and Necessary 

Ok you know what a panic bar is and what is does but you may not know the many reasons that they are important to have installed on your commercial building’s doors. The list is long and it just may surprise you. 

Here are some of the many reasons why it’s important to have panic bars installed on several of your commercial building’s doors: 

• Panic bars may say lives in an emergency 

We have already touched upon the safety aspect of panic bars. Even saving one human life in an actual emergency makes it worth having these installed on your commercial property. They should help any business owner sleep better knowing there are good options in the event there is a fire, natural disaster or other emergency when people are occupying their building. 

• They’re reliable 

Here are few locking devices that work as well as panic bars. They come the closest of most any locking device to being a sure thing they are called upon to work. That’s what makes them among the most trusted locking devices in the marketplace. They require very little maintenance to stay in good working order too. This applies even after they have been in place for a long period of time (even though you should have a locksmith check them periodically to ensure they are working properly). 

• In some states they are required by law 

One big reason to install panic bars on your commercial property is they may be a required item. Some states have laws on the books that require you to have so many doors with fire alarm locks and panic bars. Failure to comply with these laws may hit you hard in the pocket book in the form of fines. Not to mention the effect lawsuits could have on your business if there was an actual emergency and failure to meet state and local requirements caused injuries or death. 

• You may get a break on your insurance premium 

Speaking of your pocketbook, insurance companies know that having panic bars installed on the doors at your commercial building lessens the chances of death and injuries if an emergency occurs too. That’s why so many insurance companies are willing to give you a break on your premium. All you have to do is meet their requirements as to the number of doors with panic bars installed on them at your business. 

• It’s a simple and effective safety device 

What is one of the best reasons to install panic bars? It’s because they are simple and work so well. Panic devices have proven to save many lives in verified fire and other emergencies a countless number of times. As was mentioned before saving just a single life makes any device like a panic bar with putting on some of the doors at your commercial property. 

• They work well on all different types of commercial buildings 

Panic devices are made in all different shapes and sizes too. That means they can be made to fit on a variety of different types of commercial exterior doors. Several models even come in adjustable lengths and have other adjustments on them that will give them a custom fit too. So whether you own a movie theater with many doors or  warehouse with just a few doors it is in your best interest to have as many doors as possible equipped with panic bar devices. 

Get Your Panic Bars Installed, Maintained and Repaired by a Pro 

Panic bars may seem like simple devices but they are a locking mechanism that absolutely must be installed properly to work correctly when they are called upon in an emergency. It takes an experienced and skilled locksmith like Fast Accurate Locksmith of Kansas City, Kansas to get a job like installing and repairing panic bars done correctly. Make sure anyone you hire to install or repair your panic bars really knows what they are doing when it comes to working with these devices. They could mean the difference between life and death in an emergency situation.  

Fast Accurate Locksmith in Kansas City, KS – Keyless Entry System Benefits

Locks and bolts are one of the most effective ways to keep yourself, your family and your valuable possessions safe. That’s why we have so many of them in stock at Fast Accurate Locksmith in Kansas City, KS. Most locksmiths will have these in stock or be able to point you in the right direction if you need locks.  

Can you imagine what would happen if you could not secure your home or business with a lock? That certainly seems like a very disastrous situation. Everything that you have worked so hard for may be taken right from under your nose. 

This is why it is especially important that you make the right choice when it comes on to your locks. Make sure you choose locks that can offer the amount of protection that you deserve. A good locksmith will be able to recommend lock hardware that is suitable for any entryway that you have. If you are not in Kansas City, make sure you find one in your area that can deliver top-notch services. We will briefly go over traditional and modern locks, then we will get into keyless entry! 

Traditional Locks VS Modern Locks 

You may be wondering whether there is really a difference between locks that were made a few decades ago and those that are being today. Well, there is some amount of difference. Many types of locks have seen some form of improvement while others have remained basically the same. What has changed significantly, is that there are new categories of locks.  

In addition to the many locks that most people are aware of, there are some new locks that have emerged on the market in recent years. Many of these locks can be classified under the broad heading of electronic locks.  

This brings us to Keyless Entry Systems. 

What Is Keyless Entry? 

One of the biggest changes that has occurred with locks is the lack of need for a key. That is what keyless entry is about. The name really says it all. No matter what type of keyless entry system you use, you won’t ever need a key to open that lock. Although some systems have keyed options, you may never end up using that key unless you really want to do so.  

Keyless Entry Systems have become quite popular these days. They are being used at residential properties, in businesses and even more modern vehicles have adapted the system. Why? There are so many advantages to going keyless that far outweighs keyed options. If you are still using keyed locks, it may be time to upgrade those locks to a more modern and convenient option.  

There are different ways that you can access keyless systems. Of course, some systems are more advanced than others, some are more secure and there are a variety of ways that you can access these systems. Some of the most popular methods of opening doors with keyless entry systems include: 

• Fingerprint detection 
• Full body scan 
• Iris scanner 
• Unique user codes 
• RFID cards plus much more 

Why Should You Choose Keyless Entry Systems? 
In most instances when you change your locks, you may not even think about installing a keyless entry system. Unfortunately, many people believe that these systems are super expensive to install plus they require a lot of maintenance and the cost will just keep adding up. Moreover, keyed locks tend to be less expensive. Although a lot of these thought are not true, but many people will hold on to these ideas. 
However, here are some reasons why you should think about getting keyless entry systems. 

• Convenience  

This is a very straightforward benefit that you can experience with keyless entry systems. Since you do not have to walk around with your keys or struggle to remember the last place that you put them, it should be much more convenient to open doors.  
Keys can be extremely inconvenient. Have you ever been outside in the rain, trying to figure out which key corresponds with the door that you are trying to open? If all you had to do was enter a passcode or scan your fingerprint, you could through that door with much less hassle. If you do not benefit from keyless entry systems any other way, convenience should definitely be your top motivator for switching to or keeping this system.  
If you have keyless entry for your vehicle, this is where you may be in love. You won’t have to worry about placing your key in the door to lock it and you will be able to get in your car faster because of the same reason. Keyless entry systems are just fantastic no matter where they are being used. 

• You can get a lot of added perks 

Not only are these locks convenient, but depending on the type of system that you have, you can get a whole lot of information about the persons who use the system. Usually, the types of systems that can give you a lot of useful information are used in commercial properties. However, depending on the nature of your residential property, you may desire a system with these features. 

• No more keys to deal with 

Can you imagine not worrying about where you placed that big bunch of keys? You won’t have to worry where you last placed your keys and you certainly won’t have to worry about which key matches with which lock. If you have been dreaming about the day that you won’t have to walk around with that bunch of heavy keys, it is here. 

• They offer more protection 

Keyless entry systems tend to much more advanced than many other types of locks. This is very unfortunate for thieves but a great advantage to the honest people in society who need to protect themselves and their possessions. It is much harder to bypass the security systems that these locks contain. As a result, your property should remain safer while they are under the protection of a keyless system.  

You don’t have to be rich or a spendthrift to enjoy the luxuries of a keyless entry system. If you are looking to beef up protection at your property, these locks are the direction that you should be heading in. Call us at Fast Accurate Locksmith in Kansas City, KS and let us set up your keyless entry system for you today.  

Read more helpful tips at http://kansascitykslocksmith.com/news/keyless-entry-system-benefits.html

Home Security Tips for the Summer

An increase in burglaries during the summer months means it’s time to help safeguard your clients’ homes while they’re away for the season or absent while selling. Ooma, a smart home phone and security company, offers six tips for preventing break-ins.

1.      Front door surveillance. Because 34 percent of break-ins happen through the front door of a home, recommend that your clients install a smart doorbell that routes to their phone. Other security options Ooma mentions include two-way speakers that will give visitors the impression the owner is home, or video cameras so your clients can see who’s at the door from their phone.

2.      Secured windows. The second most common break-in location is a first floor window, the access point of 23 percent of burglars. Ooma recommends installing sash locks and wireless motion sensors that will alert the homeowner if a window is opened or broken.

3.      Don’t forget the AC unit. Pushing in a window air conditioning unit is another common break-in method. Suggest motion sensors near the AC unit, or tell your clients to remove the unit while they’re away, Ooma says.

4.      Barring patio and sliding glass doors. Sliding doors should not only be locked, but should also have a barrier bar in the tracks. Ooma suggests homeowners place motion detectors in this area as well.

5.      Leave the lights on. The goal is to make the home appear lived in, even if your clients are vacationing or have already moved out. Ooma recommends smart lights that homeowners can control from their phone, or at the very least, light timers.

6.      Call 911 from afar. A homeowner trying to reach the police from a remote location can take valuable minutes. Home security companies, including Ooma, offer remote 911 calling.

Original Article Here: Home Security Tips for the Summer

Related Article Here: 7 Summer Security Tips To Keep You Safe

Planning to go out for a vacation but worrying with your home security? Ask some solutions from Fast Accurate Locksmith  experts!

Top Home Security Tips You Need To Make Your Home Safer Now

No matter where you live, your age, life stage, the square footage of your floorplan, or type of neighborhood, staying safe at home is a priority for all of us. And you can go out and spend thousands of dollars on security measures or DIY it at all, but the goal is the same: to protect your home, your things, and the people you love.

Home security is not a one-size-fits-all enterprise, nor is it typically a one-purchase-and-you're-done experience.

"Think of home security as though you're putting on layers of clothing to protect your body from harsh weather," Jordan Frankel, executive vice president of Global Security Experts said on Tech Hive. "Protecting your home from burglary is all about the layers. Because burglars determine their targets through risk vs. reward scenarios, the more security measures you put in place to increase the risk and lessen the reward for would-be intruders, the less likely your home will be viewed as an easy target."

Whether you're starting from scratch or looking to upgrade or enhance your security measures, here are eight places to start.

1. Secure the front door

It seems like a no-brainer to lock your front door and make sure it's secure, but, "Roughly 33 percent of burglars enter through the front door," said Safewise. Inspect it to make sure the frame is "strong, the hinges are protected, the wood is not hollow, and, if your door has a mail slot, that someone can't reach through it to unlock the door. If your door doesn't have a peephole or a deadbolt, you should install those immediately to help make the door even more secure."

And if you've just moved in to the house, don't forget to change the locks. Extra keys that may have been floating around prior to you moving in could compromise your safety.

2. Check the windows, too

This is another easy-access spot. Safewise notes that, "As many as 23 percent of home burglaries occur through first-story windows." Check the latches, which can degrade over time and fail to protect the windows from opening.

3. Light it up

A home that's dark will be more inviting to a potential thief than one that is lit up. We love the BeON Home Protection system, which can be used both inside and out.

"At first glance, the BeON Home Protection system looks like a trio of odd-looking smart LED bulbs," said Techlicious. It's actually a "sophisticated early warning system for your home, disguised and doubling as smart bulbs. Once you insert the yellow BeON peg module through the bulb and screw them into a standard A21 (Edison base) lighting fixture, each BeON bulb becomes a listening post that can hear and react to your front door bell ringing or your smoke/CO alarm sounding. When the BeONs hears one of these, the bulbs light up in an automatic or programmed sequence to either make it appear as if you're home to scare off intruders, or light your way to escape potential danger."

According to BeON, "The system picks up on your natural lighting habits so that there's seamlessly no noticeable difference between you being home and away. Since the goal of the system is preventative security, BeON wants the system to act as a deterrent days in advance, rather than as a reactive security system." You can also " train your BeON bulbs to hear your doorbell, and you can set a sequence of which BeON lights go on in reaction."

Uplights can give the home some great curb appeal and make it more safe, and motion-activated floodlights are another great theft deterrent. The added advantage of Mpow Solar-Powered Outdoor Motion Sensing Light is that it's solar powered, so it won't add to your electric bill or stop functioning in a power outage.

Ring's new Floodlight Cam is "the world's first and only HD security camera with built-in floodlights, a siren alarm and two-way audio," they said. "Floodlight Cam streams 1080HD video and comes with two 3K lumens LED floodlights, and it starts recording and turns on the lights as soon as it detects motion."

4. Get to know your neighbors

Establishing friendships in your neighborhood isn't just great for your social life; it can also help keep you safe. Your neighbors may already know your daily habits (what time you come and go), but alerting them to changes like a new job that means you'll be leaving earlier and returning later, cleaning crews or landscapers that might have access to the home or yard, and, especially, vacation plans that will leave your home empty for a period of time, is important. That way they can help keep an eye out and be aware of anything that just seems "off."

5. Get on Nextdoor

Your local Nextdoor community is not only useful for finding a babysitter or a handyman, but it's also a great place to share and learn about security issues like break-ins and car vandalism in your neighborhood. If you know what's going on, you have a better chance of banding together to come up with solutions to get it stopped.

6. Get it on camera

Having security cameras outside your front door may not stop a crime from happening (although it could deter someone who noticed the camera), but it can help you catch them on the backend by providing footage to police or circulating in your neighborhood.

Cnet recommends the SkyBell HD Wi-Fi Video Doorbell as one of the their best smart home devices. "With 1080p resolution, SkyBell's video quality is terrific, and integrations with Alexa, Nest, and IFTTT help it stand out in an increasingly competitive category," they said. "Free online video storage is a major plus, too."

7. Get a security system

Homes without security systems are about three times more likely to be broken into. The Simple Dollar has a thorough list of the best security systems for 2017 broken down by categories like DIY installation, cost, and reliability.

8. Eliminate hiding spots

It makes sense that burglars would target homes where they can't be easily seen. If you have tall shrubs or trees up close to the house, that might be you.

Original Article Here: Top Home Security Tips You Need To Make Your Home Safer Now

Relate Article Here: 21 Cheap And Effective Tricks To Keep Your Home Safe

If you need to hire someone to enhance your home security and to avoid unwanted burglary, visit Fast Accurate Locksmith and they will be happy to help you!

Home Security

A burglar’s three worst enemies are light, time and noise. Use this to your advantage and consider these security tips to better protect your home.

Trim trees and shrubs near your doors and windows and think carefully before installing a high, wooden fence around your back yard. High fences and shrubbery can add to your privacy, but privacy is a burglar’s asset. Consider trading a little extra privacy for a bit of added security.

Install exterior lights, mounted out of easy reach, to reduce the darkness a burglar would seek.

Make the prospect of robbing your home a noisy job. Consider investing in a burglar alarm. The most effective ones also ring at an outside service.

Make sure you have strong doors. Outside doors should be metal or solid hardwood and at least 1¾ inches thick. Frames should be made of equally strong material. Installing a peephole or a wide-angle viewer in the door is safer for identifying visitors than a door chain.

Deadbolt locks are best. They usually are locked with a key from the outside and a thumb turn on the inside. The cylinder (where the key is inserted) should be pick-resistant. Ask your hardware dealer for a reputable brand, or buy your locks from a locksmith.

Key locks are available for all types of windows.

When improving the security of your home,it is also important not to exchange security for personal safety. Don’t make your home such a fortress that you are unable to escape in case of an emergency.

Establish a routine to follow to make certain that all doors and windows are locked and alarm systems are turned on.

Handle your keys carefully. Don’t carry house keys on a key ring bearing your home address or leave house keys with your car in a commercial parking lot.

Don’t hide your keys in “secret” places outside your home — burglars usually know where to look!

Original Article Here: Home Security

Related Article Here: 10 Tips to Improve Your Home’s Security

If you want to make sure that your home is fully secure and safe from any unwanted break-ins, call Fast Accurate Locksmith right away!